Exhibiting machine



March 5, 1946. B. A; WALKER EXHIBITNQ NUSLCHINE Filed June 1o, 1.942 5sheets-sheet 1f March 5, 1946. B. A. WALKER EXHIBITING MACHINE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 -Filedl June 10, 1942 maentor j J7. Wa/er f@ GttomegsFray/9 BWK-@M March 5, 1946.` v v E4.'y A. WALKER 2,395,947

I EXHIBITING MACHINE l' v Filed June 1o, v1942 3 sheets-sheet 3 SnbentorGttornegs Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED stares VnXiHrirrING lviaonnmlBradley A. Walker,'Birmingham, Mich., assigner Y to Poster MachinesCorporation, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation `of Michigan Application .rune 1c,

17r Claims.

This invention relates to exhibiting machines and more particularly `tochangeable exhibitors for displaying a series of postersor the likeinsuccession.

One object of the invention,V is to provide an exhibiting machineoperated byvk endless chains withhooks which pick up the. posters one byone and convey them to the rear of the machine, droppingthem against amovable guide or'cam which in turn is operated in timed relationship bya clip carried by the chain for directing the poster supporting rodsupon inclined guide-ways which deliver them again to the front ofthemachine. l Another object is to provide an exhibiting machine as setforth in the preceding object wherein a separator isprovided atthebottom of the machine for separating the foremost poster rod from thefollowing poster rod, the separator being operated in timed relation bymeans of another clip on the conveyorl chain.

Another object is to provide. an exhibiting machine as set forth in thepreceding objects wherein guide means are provided for loading thepostersinto the machine at the commencement of operations.'

Another` object is to` provide an ,exhibiting machine including postersmounted upon rods,

the posters being held ,upon'the rods by resilient Y washers engagingannular grooves near the end of the rods, the resilient washers beingpreferably formed o-f a rubber like material.

Another object is to provide a poster ro'dfconstruction for exhibitingmachines asset forth in the object immediately above', wherein thepostertating its motion.

Another object is to provide an exhibiting machine operated by endlesschains driven from an electric motor through reduction belts toY apulley upon the drum shaft over which the posters pass on their way fromthe front to the rear of 'the machine.

respectively, without the clips interfering with one another or with theoperation of their re-V spective devices.' f

' In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is "a front elevation, partly in section,

.25 the speed reduction ,.35 rod at its end is provided withrollers foriacilig- 1942, serial No. 446,486 'l (omo-L36) f' of a changeableexhibiting machine accordingY to a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1looking in the direction of the arrows showing the Aforemost posterabout to be picked up and conveyed over the top of the machine by thehooks ,o n the chains.

Figure 3 is 'a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the position of theparts after the postershas been conveyedover the top of the machine andthe following poster rodis ready to be Adirected upon theVvinclinedguide-way leading back tothe front of the machine. Figure 4 isa horizontal irregular cross section 1 5 taken on line --ilv ofFigure 2looking in the direction of the arrows showing the manner in which theposter rods are engaged and pickedup. Figure 5 a horizontal irregularcross section taken en "linev AF- -5 of Figure 2 looking in the 20direction of the arrows showing 'the mannerl in which the trailingposter rod is detached from the chain hooks.

Figure 6 is'a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 ofFigure 2 showing one of pulleys andits supporting means. y i

"Figure Tis a horizontal irregular'cross section taken on the irregularline l-"I of Figure 2 illustrating'detaus of construction.

Figure 8 is a horizontal irregular cross section taken on the irregularline 8-"8of Figure 2 illus'- trating inf'detail various features ofvtheseparating'mechanism.

Figure 9 isA afdiagonal'cross section taken on the' diagonal line 9 9 ofFigure 2,1o`oking i'n the direction of the arrows illustrating 'the idlesprocket support andthe separator shaft. I Figure 10is a vertical crosssectional view taken 4Q tion of the arrows showing thelmainA drivepulley andanoiselessbearing therefor;

' Figure ll is an enlarged fragmentary side elevationof the postersupporting rod. 'Y T Figure 12 a perspective view. showing a fragmentaryportion of one of theconveyor chains and a clip forinitially' engagingthe lowermost poster rod. A 'v v* f Figure 13 is a fragmentaryperspective View 'of -the poster rod hook for engaging the upperposterrod and causing the same to be moved rearwardly of themachine and;`Figure 14' is a fragmentary perspective view of 5.5 vcarried ontheendsthereof.

on line lli- I0 of Figure 2 looking inthe direc- Y l General arrangementIn general, the invention comprises a skeleton framework capable ofbeing' housed within a suitable display casing having a window forexhibiting a series of posters which are caused to move in sequence fromsaid window and the line of vision to the rear of the machine where saidposter is received on an inclined guide-way in back of a stack ofposters arranged for sequential display. Such poster movement being ac-Y complished by endless chains having hooks for picking up the postersand clips for operating suitable mechanism to causethe posters to bereleased from the front of the machine indi vidually so that they willtravelV tothe back of the machine and be released for guidance upon aninclined track-way or guide.

Further, the invention consists of an arrangement of posters, carryingchains and poster guide-ways with means for causing the auto; maticoperation of the machine by the circuitous travel of the conveyingchains.

i Frame and driving structure Referring` to the drawings in detail,Figures 1 to 13 inclusive-` the reference character I!! designates abase of the `exhibitor frame structure having Y an upturned marginal`iiange Ii in the front thereof and a similarly formed ange I2 at'therear connected by end iianges Il?.v

Extending upwardly from the side fianges I3 and secured theretor areidentically formed side plateswI having the upper ends thereof previdedwith inwardly directedr flanges I5'and I6 for receiving a top covervplate I1, the front portion of which is bent downwardly as at i8 'and iswelded or otherwise secured to the fiange I5, while the rear portion I9yslopes in theopposite direction and is likewise attached to the ange I6.Thevertica-l edges of the side plates I4 vare provided with inwardlydirected side flange pori tions 2D and ZI in the front and back thereofrespectively; Y

spaced inwardly and supported by each side frame plate I4 is a mechanismsupporting plate 22 held in placel byA variously spaced rods V23anchored in position bymeans ofv suitable machine screws 24 extendingthrough apertures in j e Y the plate and provided with reduced threadedAends 25 threaded iri the' aperturesin the supporting frame plate 22.Said supporting frame plate is held throughout its length at convenientpoints. entirely removed from the exhibitor mechanism which will behereinafter more fully described.

Positioned on the base ID is an electric motor 26 having 'its armatureshaft 21 coupled with a a phenolic condensation product to eliminate vi-Ablatioll. and Shook; vThe bearing 29 is held against rotationinanopening in the frame plate V22 and is retained by means of a machinescrew 30;. The bearing bushing is provided with a reduced portion 3|which projects through the opening to limit axial movement thereof. Aflexible tubular coupling member 32 is provided and -receives the freeends of the stubl shaft 28 and placement by bolts or the like 34. Theopposite end of the stub shaft 28 is provided with a pulto' the freeswinging end of the lever 40 is a pulley spindle 44 for supporting thepulley 39. The hub portion of the pulley 39 is provided with a suitablygrooved reduction pulley 45 over which is trained a drive belt 46. Thespeed of the armature shaft is further reduced by providing a pulley 41which .is likewise supported on a freely swinging arm 48 pivotallyattached to the frame plate 22 by means of a rivet set pivot pin 49 verysimilar to the pivot pin 4I. The free swinging end of the pivoted arm 48carries a pulley spindle 50 riveted or otherwise secured thereto as at5I. Formed integral with the hub 52 `of the pulleyl 41 is a reducedV-groovedA pulley 53 over Vwhich passes a belt 54 for` driving a rollerShaft 55 the ends of which are journaled in suitable `bearings providedin thev upper end of the frame plates 22; One end of said shaft isprovided with a pulley 56 rigidly attached thereto. and having-aV-groove for receiving a final drive belt 54 whereby rotation of thearmature shaft 21 will effect the rotation of the shaft 55 at a greatlyreduced rate of speed. The drive means l has been shown in the drawingsas being arranged on one side of the exhibiting machine but ofcourse,the drive means could be positoned on either side without seriouslyaffecting the mode of operation.

Guide' rollers and poster conveying mechanism yAlso mounted in the sideframe members 22 is :Ia-shaft 59 which extends parallel with the-shaft58 and is journaled in the side plates 22 by suitable bearings. Aroller-60 is likewise secured to `the shaft 59,- Secured to the ends ofthe shaft 55 and outside of the frame plates 22 are sprocket f ist`drive shaft 28 (Figure 10) and said drive shaft Y Yis suitablyjrournaled in a bushing k29 formed of wheels 6I and one of said sprocketwheels is located between the side frame plate 22 and the pulleyEli-while the other sprocket 6I is mounted adjacent the free end of saidshaft. Similar sprocket wheels 62 are mounted on the free ends oftheshaft 59 and are aligned with the sprocket wheels 5I and are mountedforwardly of the exhibitcr.- n

Located on each side of the exhibitor frame at the bottom thereofandcarried by the frame plates 22 are stub shafts 63, 54 and 65 each ofwhich is spaced from the other and arranged to guide the conveyor chainsduring exhibiting operations. The stub shafts 63 are anchored to theirrespective'side plates 22 as at B6 and the ystub shaft 64 on each sideof the machine is mounted between a pair of triangular shaped plates 51and 68 held in spaced relation by means of spacer sleeves 59 throughwhich is passed a Yrivet or the like 1D FigurcrS); The other stub shaftB5 extends through the triangular shaped plates 61 and 68 and alsoextends through the frame plate 22. The stub shaft 65 on one side of themachine or exhibitor is elongated as at II to project inwardly, and'while' both stub shafts 65 provide pivotal bearings for the/triangula'r plates El and 68, one of said shafts is elongated for apurpose which will be hereinafter more fully described. Each of saidstub shafts 65 are spun as at 'l2 to securely lock the same in positionwhereby the stub shafts 54 may swing on' an arc about the stub shafts65. A coil spring 18a has one end fastened to a pin or the like carriedby the frame plate 22 while the oppositev end is fastened to an offsetportion of the triangular plates 61 and 68 to normally urge the idlestub shaft rdownwardly to increase the tension on the conveyor chains.

Mounted on the stub shafts 63, 64 and 65'are sprocket wheels 73, I4 andI5 respectively the hubs of which as atv 16, 11 and'18 are keyed to thesprocket wheels or formed integral therewith so that said sprockets mayfreely-rotate onv their respective stub shafts. The Vstub shaft 65 hasits outer end grooved forreceiving a resilient locking ring Il to retainthe sprocket in position and prevent lateral displacement of the stubshaft 65.

' Poster carrier and control Adjacent each side of the exhibitor andtrained over the upper and lower sets of sprockets are conveyor chains19 of usual formation andV said chainstraverse the sprockets 6| and 62on the ends of the shafts 55 and 59 and also the sprockets 73, i4 and'i5 on their respective stub shafts at the lower portion of theexhibitor. The sprocket chains are identical and are adapted to pick upthe posters 80 and convey them from the front of the machine to the rearthereof for sequential exhibition. As shown in the drawings, a number ofsuch posters are employed and each poster 80 is formed of a fiexiblematerial and of a translucent nature preferably rectangular in shape andhaving secured to the ends thereof transverse supporting rods 8|(Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 8). edges of the posters as at 82 and areprovided with reduced end portions 83 for receiving a rubber or fiberretaining ring 84 (Figure 11).

LThe free ends of the poster rodsV terminate a short distance from theconveyor chains but are of a suf'rlcient length to be guided byandsupported on a guide frame plate 85 located at each side of theexhibitor.

There are twosuch frame plates 85, one for each side of the machine andsaid plates'are centrally dished as at 88 for attachment to the innerwalls of the side frame plates 22 as by Vweldingat spaced intervalsindicated at 81 (Fig- -ures 2 and 3).

Y Since both frame plates 85 are identical, a description of one will besufficient. The vertical edge 88 forms a front guide edge vfor theposter rods and said edge projects for- Likewise, a rear guide wardly ofthe exhibitor. edge 89 is provided and said front and rear guide edgesare connected at the top by an inclined rack edge 99. A projection 9| isformed'at the as at 92, and extends. downwardly for the rest ofitslength where it terminates in aforwardly finclinedg'uide edge 93 andconnects with'the` .front guide ,edge 88 by a., beveled cornerportion94. It will benoted,.that when the posters 80 are supportedv on the 4topedge 90 of they guide plate, the lower endsand rods will fall below theinclined lower edge 93 when'said posters .are in their operativeposition.

In order to reduce noises and rattles, the guide edges 89 are providedwith buffer strips 95 held in place by a'clamping strip, 96 and saidbuffer strip extends from the top inclined edge 90downwardly to the cutaway portion 92 where it is interrupted and a buffer strip 91' isprovided for the rest of the length ofthe rear guide edge. The buerstrip 9'.' is held in position by a clamping strip 98 which extendsdownwardly to the inclined bottom edge of the guide frame plate 93.

Mounted directly above the guide plate 85 is a cooperating guide plate99 secured to the frame Y direction coinciding with the projection 9I,

whereby the poster rods will be guided outwardly when lifted upwardly bythe conveyor chains.

a resilient strip ofV material such asfelt |06 for Said rods projectbeyond the vertical engaging theposter rods during. the traversalthereof in `front of the display opening. It will be noted, that eachangled strip I 04 extends sub,- stantially the full length of theendless conveyor chain course and terminates at` the top a shortdistance from the upper end of the guide plate 85. An additional angledstrip |01 has its flanged edge |703 secured to theside plate I4 by meansof rivets or the like yto provide aguide for the rest of the length ofthe conveyor course. The free Vends of the angledrplateV Ill'ljarebeveled as at |09 so that the free ends of the poster rods will traversesaid guide strip |01 without undue friction. Also, an additional guidestrip IIO is lo'- cated adjacent the lower end of the guide frame plateand is secured to the frame plate I4 by a bolt or the like H2. Theplate-like portion II-0 has the' upper edge thereof beveled as yat I I3,which edge extends parallel with the beveled edge 94 of the guide plate85. A vertical guide edge I4v is also formed on the plate-like portionIIO andis directed inwardly and is adapted to abut the lower poster rods93 (Figures Zand 3).

Positioned rearwardlyv of the exhibitor is an angled guide strip I5attached to the frame plate I4 as at `I I5 and the outer edge of saidguide is return bent as at I |17 for receiving a resilient strip I|8 offeltgorY vthe like. Said angled strip'hasits edge extending parallelwith the rear edge 'of the guide plate'85 and cooperatesv therewith forguiding the poster rods 9 I. during their downward ytravel in the rearportion of the exhibitor.

In opposed relation from the guide plate-.|10 and mounted in the rear ofthe exhibitor is an angled plate |20 welded or otherwisev attached tothe rear frame flange 2l, and the angled Vplate is provided with a guideedge |2I inclinedwforV ya portion of its length'as at I22so that theposter rods will be directed inwardly of the exhibitor vand urged towardthefront thereof.

Poster rod pick-up mechanism Each endless chain 19 is provided with aclip |23 (Figure 13) which is in the form of a hook and'is adapted toengage the upper ends of the poster rods and remove the poster from itsposi- 'tion' of` rest on the inclined rack edge90. The hook clipcomprises a base portion |24 adapted to be welded to overturned lugs |25formed on certain links of the conveyor chain 15. The base portion isreturn bent as at |426 providing a relatively dat surface for engagingthe guide strips vand retaining the hook clip'in a vertical posi- 'tionduring its travel along the front and rear guide strips. Formed on theclip |23 is an arm extension |21 directed inwardly and formed at rightangles to the arm is a hook 28 of sulhcient Vlength to engage the posterrods at the ends thereof slightly rearward of the projection 9|.

In spaced relation from each hook clip |23 on each endless conveyorchain 19 there is also provided a hook clip 35, the hook end of whichextends in the opposite direction (Figure 12). Likewise, the hook clip|30 isattached to a pair of specially constructed chain links so thatthe arm extension I 3| of the -hook clip may be welded to lugs |32carried thereby. The hook clip |30 has its hooked portion |33 formedco-extensive with a relatively long tail portion |34 to assist inholding the hook clip aligned during its movement between the side frameplate i4 and the guide plate H as shown in Figure 2, and also to holdthe same in position during its circuitous travel. The hook clip |33does not extend inwardly far enough to engage the poster rods when itpasses the upper ends thereof, resting on the inclined rack 30 and movespast the area adjacent the upper poster rods freely so as not to'interrupt or vibrate the poster being displayed. The hook clips |23 and|30 are spaced on the conveyor chains a distance slightly less than thelength of the posters so that `when the poster is carried rearwardly bythe hook |28, the poster will drop and will fall into the hooked portion|33 of the clip |30 and prevent the poster from falling when inverted. YAfter the poster has traversed the rollers 58 and 60, a clip |35 carriedby each chain slightly in advance of the vhook clip |35 and similarlysecured thereto engages a switch lever |36 pivoted to the side frameguide plates as at |31 so that the upper pointed end |38 will engage theposter rod Iand remove it3from the hook clip |30. VAs the tripping clip|35 engages the lower .weightedcam-shaped portion |40 of the switchlever |36, the upper end projects into the path of the poster rod endsVfor switching said poster rod onto the inclined track-like edge 90 sothat said poster rod will come to rest and be in posi- `tion to bedisplayed again as the other posters are removed to the rear of theexhibitor. The tripping clip |35 is formed with a shank portion |4| andis secured to the conveyor chain 19 by attachment to the links thereofas by welding. Formed integral with the shank portion is a .plateportion |42 having its edges curved as at |43 so as to slidably engagethe pivoted lever |35 and ride thereover without causing unduevibration. The shank of the clip |4| is comparatively short in order tofreely pass all obstacles in its path except the pivoted trip lever |35.It isV to be noted, that the upper edge or end of the guide strip H5 isangularly bent as at |39 to allow the #free passage ofi the poster rodand assist in guid- "ing the same downwardly between` the triangularguide plate and the guide. strip edge l l5 in addition to positioningthe hook clip |33 for receiving the poster rod during its downward dropas it reaches the rear of the exhibitor.

Mounted ony each shaft .extension 1| of each stub shaft- 65 is a bellcrank lever |45 adapted to be retained in place by a lock washer |44.One end of the bell crank lever |45 is offset as at |41 and is arcuatelycurved as at |48 to project into the path of a-relatively long trippingclip |45 secured to the conveyor chain 19 by attachment to -one of thechain links in the same manner as the clip |35 such as by welding or thelike. The clip |46 is provided with a relatively long shank portion |49terminating in a bell crank engaging portion |50, the ends of which areslightly curved to reduce friction as the clip traverses the arcuatelycurved portion |48 of the bell crank. The contacting portion |50 oftheclip extends inwardly a sufficient distance (Figure 8) to be inalignment and in the path of the bell crank lever |48. The clip |46 willalso engage the pivoted lever |40, but this will occur after theposterhas passed onto the inclined rack 90 and will not effect theoperation of the machine. The opposite end of each bell crank lever |41projects upwardly as at |5| and has its free end bifurcated'as at |52for receiving a pin |53 carried on a releasing lever |54 pivoted to theside frame plate- 22 as at |55. The opposite end of the lever is hookedas at |56 and is adapted to enter the lower poster rods and force one ofthe poster rods outwardly while retaining the remaining rods in place.In this manner, the lower .poster rods are released singularly and inproper sequence. An extension arm |50 is provided on the bellicrank arm|5| and has attached thereto a coil'spring |B| the opposite end of whichis anchored to a pin |62 to normally urge the arcuately curved portion|48 of the bell crank lever forwardly of the exhibitor and a stop pin|53 is carried by the frame plate 22 to limit the upward swingingmovement of the releasing lever |54.

A limiting stop is provided for the switch lever |35 as at |51 and oneend thereof as at |58 is welded or otherwise secured to the Side frameplate |4. VThe opposite end projects inwardly into engagement with eachswitch lever and is provided with a rubber covering or sleeve |59 toeliminate noises'.

A belt is provided and includes a lever |65 pivoted on a suitable pivotpin |06 carried by the side frame plate I4; and a coil springy |51 hasVone of its ends fastened to the pivoted lever while the opposite end isconnected to a pin |59 also carried by the side frame plate |4. A roller|10 is carried on the free swinging end of the lever |65 and said rolleris mounted on a pivot pin |1| so that theV roller |10 will engage thefinal drive belt 54 and tighten the same upon its respective pulleys inaddition to tightening the belts 38 and 46. Y

`Means is provided for facilitating the insertion of additional postersand said means comprises spaced' guide strips. |15 and |15 adjacent eachside of the exhibitor, and said inclined guide strips connect to aninterrupted portion |11 of the guide strip ||5. The inclined guidestrips |15 and |16 have their lower ends welded to the interruptedportion |11 of the guide strip i |5, while the upper ends of the guidestrips are adapted to be suplported by 'a transverse angle bar |18, theends of which are welded or otherwise secured to the rear' frame plateflanges 2|. v'I'he upper end of the inclined guide |16 is angularly bentas at for welding to the transverse strip |18 and the lower guide stripmay likewise be welded at its upper end to the transverse angle bar |18.During loading operations, the outer ends of the lowermost guide rod areinserted between the opposed pairs of guides |15 and |16 so that the rodwill fall by gravity downwardly'between the guide strips 95 and H8. Whenthe lowermost guide rod has thus been inserted the upper guide rod isplaced over the end of the latch lever |33 to position the upper rod onthe rack 90. When the lowermost rod has reached the deilector plate |20,it is forced inwardly and finally comes to rest at the back of the packof poster rods already'in the display machine.

In Figure 14 there is shown a modified poster 80a having a poster rodBla similar to the poster rod 8|. The poster rod Bla ls reduced as at83a for receiving a ber or rubber retainingsleeve 84a. The free ends ofthe poster rod 8|a are reduced as at 82a for receiving anti-frictionrollers 85a adapted to be held in place by a resilient locking ring 86a.The rollers 85a are adapted to reduce friction and assist in allowingthe poster rods to ride down the inclined rack 90 and to be guided onthe guide flanges of the side guide plates 85.

It is to be understood, that the clip |46 is sufficiently spaced fromthe hook clip |30 so that said clip will trail the hook clip and releaseanother lower poster rod after the passage of the hook clip |30 and theremoval of a poster by its upper rod as by means of the hook clip |23.

Mode of operatiOn |23 at each side of the machine will engage the rodand carry the same downwardly along the chain path and the upper posterrod of the poster can then be positioned over the end of the latch lever|38 so that it will finally come to rest on the rack 80 and will slidedownwardly therealong until limited by the projection 9|. The lowermostposter rod will then be disengaged from the hook clips |23 so that itwill position directly against the limiting stop member |56. The nextposter fed to the machine will likewise be engaged by the hook clip |23and carried to a similar position and disposed in back of the posterpreviously inserted. When the machine has been loaded with two or moreposters in the manner above described, the remaining Posters maybeinserted by feeding the lowermost rod thereof while the hook clips |23and |30 are in the back portion of the machine by permitting said rod tobe engaged by the conveyor hook |23 until it reaches the deector plate|20. The hookclip 23 is large enough to accommodate'the poster rod of aposter already in the machine as well as the poster rod of a posterbeing fed to themachine through the guide ways |15 and |16. In otherwords, if a poster is being conveyed by the conveyor chains, and aposter is being fed to the machine while the poster already in themachine is in the back thereof, the hook clip |23 will engage the lowerrods of each poster and convey Athem to the stack of previously VfedposteurA Y the event that there are several posters in the* displaymachine' and lit is desired to add another poster so as to follow linsequencethepostersK4 successive order. AfterV theposters .have thusV eeninserted in themachine, the continued travel of the endless chainsA1|lwil1V cause the hook clip |23 to engage the upper poster rod 8| oftheV foremost poster 80 so that the poster will be, carr red over therollers 601 and 58 and the upperend will then be invertedl as shown inFigure v3 when the poster rod in'its inverted position reachesthe guideplate'20, it isV movedinwardly by reason of the inclined cam face |22. out of the path of,y the following hook clip |28. Simultaneously; the

trip clip engages the weightedswitch lever |36 and projects the pointedend |33. into the path of the Vupper poster rod during its down-V wardtravel also showninFigure 3 so thatsaid rod will be removed from thehook clip |30 'and will be guided upon the inclined rack 90.

Upon continued travel of the endlessconveyor chains, the clip 46 willhave previouslyreleased a poster rodas shown in Figures 2 and 3 by len-Y gaging the arcuate releasing lever |54 causing the release lever |56to move downwardly a sulcient distance andlength of'time to release asingle poster rod and allow the-same to abut Vthe cam plate ||0 so thatwhen the upper poster vrod is again engaged bythe hook clip, thelower'rod will pass between the inclined edges 94 andA ||3 of the guide.plates 85 and ||0 respectively so that the lower end or poster'rod willtraverse the front guide members 88 and |06. After said poster has beencarried upwardlyfand overth rollers 58 and 60 as Abefore,the clip |46again trips the arcuately curved lev'r 58 and releases another posterrod rby jallowingthe pointed end |56 of the lever, |54'to drop down andthen be moved upwardly by the coil spring 18a.Y

, The time of display of the foremost poster depends on the lengthof theconveyorchains 19, and it is tobe noted that the foremost poster` isdisplayed for a length of time equalto the time required for the endlesschain conveyors'to make a complete cycle.

The switch lever operating clip |35 andthe release lever clip |46.areofV different lengths'so that theV arcuately curved trip lever |48Willbe ,Y

operated by only one of said clips. However, both clips |35 and |46willoperate the switchlev'er'but at the time that the switch lever isoperated by the Yclip |46, the posterr has been removed from Vtheconveyor chain and the operation oflthe switch lever is ineffective. A ev Itis to be understood, that the'V form of Athe invention herewithshownand'described is toV be taken as a preferred embodiment of theYsame and that various changes in the shape,VK sizeand arrangement ofparts may be resortedtowithout departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the subjoined claims. 'I Y Y 1. An exhibitinglmachine comprisingfa plurality of display elements, conveying means,

spaced display elementn engaging members carried by the conveying meansAfor removing-theV means for feeding said display elements into and outofthe path of the display element engaging members andA means carried bythe conveyor means in spaced relation thereon for operating said feedingmeans one of said feeding means being Ycontrolled by one of the spacedmeans on the conveyor means to feed the `display elements tothe conveyorat the front of the machine and the other spaced means on theconveyormeans being operable Ato feed the display elements from the' conveyingmeans in the rear of the display machine to said position of rest.

2.v An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements,'conveying means engageable with said'display elements vto move the samefrom a display position to a position of rest in the rear of theexhibiting-machine, means for feeding saidelements to the conveyor meansduring the initial movement of the display elements from their displayposition, means for removing said display elements from said conveyormeansV as they arev conveyed to the rear kof the exhibiting machine to aposition of rest, said feeding and removing means being Apositioned atthe bottom and top of themachine and'oper- Vated by the conveyor meanswhereby said display elements will be moved upwardly' and rearwardly tosaid Position of rest in the rear of the machine.

3. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements,conveying means engageable with said display elements to move 'saiddisplay elements upwardly from a display position toa position of restin the rear of the machine, feeding means for feeding the displayelements to said conveyor means in the front of the machine, means forremovingthe display elements from the conveyor mean-s in the rear of themachine to said position of rest and means carried by the conveyor meansin spaced relation thereon for operating the feeding and removing meansin timed relation with the conveyorl means whereby the lower end of theforemost display element will be fed to the conveyor means prior to theengagement ofthe upper end of said display element by Ythe conveyormeans.

4. An exhibiting machine comprising e. plurality of display elements atrest,` conveyor means engageable with said display elements for movingthe same upwardly. and rearwardly 'from display position to saidposition of rest, means for feeding the lower ends of the displayelements intermittently to the conveying means, means for removing thedisplay elements at 'the rear of the exhibitor to said position of restand means carried' by the conveying means in spaced relation thereto foroperating said feeding and removing means in timed relationship lvherebythe foremost display element will be released a short time intervalbefore being engaged by the yconveyor meansfor movement from saiddisplay position to said position of rest.

5. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of stacked displayelements suspended from the upper end of the machine, conveying meansengageable-With said display elements to carry the display elementsupwardly tothe rear of the machine individually from a display position`to a position of rest, means for feeding the lower` ends of thesuspended display elements to the conveying means, means forintercepting the display elements at `the rear of the machine after theyyhave been moved rearwardly toward their position of rest, said feedingand intercepting means being operated by the spaced operating clipscarried by the'conveyirigmeans toitripsaid feeding andintercepting'lmeansin timed Vrelationship therewith. l 'h 6. Anexhibiting machinecomprising a plurality of stacked display elementssuspended from the upper end of the machine, conveying means engageablewith said display elements to singularly remove the sa ne from the stackand cause the display element to move upwardly toward the rear of themachine from a display position to a position of rest, means for feedingthe lower ends -of the display elements intermittently in the .front ofthe machine to the conveying means and means for intercepting thefollowing end oi the display elements at the rear of the machine forbeing guided to said positions of rest and means operable by theconveying means to effect the operation of the feeding and interceptingmeans in timed relationship. l

'7. -An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elements,means for supporting the display elements in a suspended position,.ccnveying means engageable with the top and bottom of said ydisplayelements for moving the sainefrom a display position to a position oirest, means carried by said conveying means in spaced relation thereon,feeding means for feeding said display elements into and out ofengagement with the conveying means, means for releasing the'lower endof one of said display elements at a time-to be fed to the conveyingmeans, means for intercepting the following end of display element inthe rear of ther machine as they are moved from a display position to aposition of rest and means carried by the conveying means in spacedYrelation thereon for operating the releasing and intercepting means.

`8. An exhibitingmachine comprising a plurality oi`stacked displayelements, means for'supporting the display-elements in a suspendedposition so that the foremost display clement will be in a position ofdisplay, conveying means for shifting said display elements from saiddisplay position upwardly and rearwardly to a position of rest, meanscarried by the conveying means for removing the upper end of displayelements from said stack'one at a time from their display positions,means for releasing the lower ends of said display elementssimultaneously to be fed into the'path of the removing meanameans in therear of the exhibitor for removingfthe following end of display elementsfrom the conveying means and means carried by the conveying means inspaced relation thereon for operating the releasing and Vremovingdisplay element means whereby said display elements will be moved fromtheir positions of display and inverted duringY their movement to aposition of rest. 1 A

9. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of stacked displayelements, means for supporting the display Ielements in a suspendedposition so that the foremost display element will be in a position ofdisplay, conveying means for shifting said elements from said displayposition upwardly and rearwardly to a position of rest, means carried bythe conveying meansl for removing the upper end of said display elementsfrom the front of thestack singularly, means for releasing; the lowerend ofthe display elements-from its display position individually forengagement with the conveying mean-symeans in the rear yof the machinefor 'interrupting the circuitous travel of the display elements andguiding the following ends to said position of rest in the rear of thestack and means'spaced apart on and operable by the conveying means foroperating said releasing and interrupting means whereby said displayelements will be moved from theilpositions of display and inver-tedduring their movementl to a position of rest.

10. An exhibiting machine comprising a plurality of display elementsarranged in end stacked relation, means for supporting said displayelement in suspended relation, conveying means for shifting the displayelements from the front of the exhibiting machine from a displayposition upwardly to the rear thereof to a position of rest, meanscarried by the conveying means for singularly removing the upper end ofone of said display elements at a time from the front of the stack,means for releasing the lower end of said display element in advance ofthe removing means, means in the rear of the machine for interruptingthe circuitous travel of the display element and positioning thefollowing end on the supporting means at the rear of the stack and meanscarried by the conveying means in spaced relation thereon for operatingthe releasing and interrupting means in timed relation whereby saiddisplay elements will remain in a display Y position for relatively longperiods of time.

ments, means for interrupting the circuitous travel of the displayelement and guiding the following end to said position of restin therear of the machine, means carried by the conveying means and spacedfrom the hook elements for operating the releasing and interruptingmeans and means for driving the conveying means at a uniform speedwhereby said display elements will be successively moved from a positionof display to a position of rest and will remain in a position ofdisplay for relatively long period of time.

12. An exhibiting machine comprising a series of display elementssuspended in stacked relation, conveying means, hook members spaced onsaid conveying means a distance slightly less than the length of thedisplay elements, said hook members being engageable with said displayelements for independently shifting the same from a display position inthe front of the machine to a position of rest at the rear thereof,means for releasing the display elements singularly for engagement withthe lowermost hook member on the conveying means, means for interruptingand removing the display elements from the following hook members on theconveying means for returning the display elements to the rear of thestack to their position of rest, means carried by the conveying meansfor operating the interrupting and removing means in timed relation andguide means presented to the conveying means in the rear of the machinefor feeding additional display elements to the exhibitor at a pointremoved from the interrupting means.

13. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having aninclined supporting rack, a plurality of display elements supported byand suspended from said supporting rack, conveying means, hook memberson said conveying means engageable with said display elements forindividually shifting the display elements to the rear of the machinefrom a display-position, means for releasing the lower end of thedisplay elements selectively for being fed to one of said hook members,means for interrupting and removing the followingV end of the displayfelements from the conveying means and returning said following end tothe supporting rack as they reach aV position rearwardly of said rackand means carried by the conveying means in spaced relation from Saidhook members for operatin the interrupting means. 1

14. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having aninclined supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a plurality ofdisplay elements suspended from said rack, conveying means extendingabout said trackway, spaced hook members on said conveying meansindependently engageable with the upper and lower ends of said displayelements for shifting the same from a display position in the front ofthe machine to the rear` of the machine toa position of rest, means forreleasing the lower ends of the display elements singularly into thepath of the following hook members, means for removing the following endof the display elements as they approach the rear of the machine andswitching them onto the inclined supporting rack and trip memberscarried by the conveying means in spaced relation from the hook membersfor sequentially operating said releasing means and removing means.

15. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having aninclined supporting rack, a plurality of display elements suspended fromsaid rack, conveying means movable about said trackway for shifting saiddisplay elements from a display position upwardly to the rear of themachine onto the inclined supporting rack to a position of rest, meansfor selectively releasing the lower ends 'of the suspended displayelementsfor entrance into the trackway, hook members carried by theconveying means for releasably gripping the ends of said display ele-vments, means for removing the following ends of the display elementsfrom the hook members on the conveying means for positioning on the rearI of the inclined supporting rack, means for 0perating the releasing andremoving means, said operating means being carried by the conveyingmeans atspaced intervals thereon adjacent one of said hook members. i

16. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having aninclined supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a plurality ofdisplay elements suspended from said Track, conveying means, hookmembers on said conveying means spaced aparta distance slightly lessthan the length of said display elements for shifting thedisplayelements independently from a display position in the front ofthe machine to a f moving the display elements from the following hookmembers on the conveying means and trackway to the rear of saidsuspended display elements to 'said position of rest, `means carriedbythe conveying means in spaced relation :there- .on for operating thereleasing and removing means Yin succession, and guide means in theexhibiting machine presented to the conveying means for independentlyfeeding and guiding additional display elements to the conveying meansin the rear of the exhibitor.

17. An exhibiting machine comprising a circuitous trackway having aninclined .supporting rack at the upper end thereof, a, plurality ofdisplay elements suspended from said rack adapted to move by gravity toa display position, conveying' means, hook members on said conveyingmeans for removing the display elements singularly and shifting them tothe rear of the ex hibiting machine to a position of restonsaidsupporting rack, means `for selectively releasing the lower endsof `said display elements for guidance into the circuitous trackway andengagement by one of said hook members, means for removing the followingend of the display elements from the hook members on said conveyingmeans and from said trackway for positioning at rest on the rear portionof the inclined supporting rack, means carried by the conveying meansfor 0perating the selective releasing and removing means .in timedrelation and guide means presented to the conveying means for feedingadditional display elements to the rear portion of the circuitoustrackway and engagement by said hook members during the operation `ofthe exhibitor.

BRADLEY A. WALKER.

